Barbara J. Eakin

Barbara J. Eakin entered her eternal rest into the arms of her loving Savior on June 11,2024 surrounded by her loving family. Born December 27, 1927 to Vernon S. and Rosa Mae (Smith) Wetherbee, Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all.  She was a longtime resident of Utica, PA.  Barbara graduated from Spartansburg High School, class of 1945.  She went on to Nursing School.  On December 17, 1949, she married the love of her life, Harry E. “Gene” Eakin.  He preceded her in death after 65 years of marriage on December 18, 2014.  Barbara was an LPN at Polk Center for nearly 25 years, retiring in 1988. Barbara was a member for more than 65 years of New Lebanon Community Church where she and her husband served as Communion Stewards for many years.  Barbara also coordinated Funeral Dinners at the church for many years.  In the community Mrs. Eakin was part of the Utica Election Board.  She baked many a pie for the Utica Volunteer Fire Company dinners.  In retirement Barbara and Harry enjoyed travel where they made many new friends.  Trips included Alaska, Hawaii, bus trips around the USA, Sight and Sound in Lancaster and visits to Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and throughout Pennsylvania to visit their children. When Barbara’s children were young, she was an active member of the Utica PTA.

Barbara enjoyed hosting dinners for family and friends.  She enjoyed cross stitch and other crafts which she often gave as gifts and adorn the homes of her children, nieces, and nephews. When she was 89, she joined a group from the church and read the Bible in 90 days! She was an avid gardener and enjoyed canning and freezing produce from her garden.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband and all her siblings – George (Virene) Wetherbee, Charles (Doris/Beatrice) Wetherbee, Theola Maxine (Richard) Schierer, Craig (Lois) Wetherbee, and Lena (Robert) Gilson; one son, Michael H. Eakin, and one grandson, Thomas W. Deibert, II.  She is survived by her children Deborah (Ronald) Adamchik of Kennerdell, PA; Patricia (Scott) Deibert of Sheboygan Falls, WI; Douglas (Sandra) Eakin of Dillsburg, PA; daughter-in-law, Georgia Eakin of Franklin, PA; and step-son Richard (Debbie) Eakin of Utica, PA.  She is further survived by her grandchildren, Jonathan Deibert, Jodi Major, Michael R. Eakin, Jeromy Eakin, Brian Eakin, Travis Eakin, Monica Eakin, Richard Eakin Jr., and Nicholas Eakin as well as many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Barbara is further survived by sister-in-laws Patricia Eakin and Sarah Jane Barnes; and brother-in-law Robert (Carol) Eakin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rose and Black Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 99 Franklin Street, Stoneboro.  Family and friends are welcome on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the New Lebanon Community Church, 4166 Mercer Street, Sandy Lake, PA 16145.  A funeral service will take at place at 1:00 PM at the New Lebanon Community Church, with Rev. Virginia LaVan Gadsby officiating.

Interment will take place at Millcreek Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Lebanon Community Church, 4166 Mercer Street, Sandy Lake, PA 16145; Aseracare, 12664 US Highway 19 Unit 1(A), Waterford, PA 16441; or The Blind Association, 3035 PA-257, Seneca, PA 16346, or online at https://www.pablind.org/donate-online/

Interment will be in the Mill Creek Cemetery, Utica, PA.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.RoseAndBlackFH.com